As the world population continues to grow, we have to increasingly look at creating sustainable food production systems. So which is better for this goal: organic or conventional farming?

In USDA certified organic farming, methods are used that both preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials, such as pesticides and antibiotics. Meanwhile, conventional farming— with its continued focus on sustainability— is much more equipped to produce the amount of food needed to continually sustain the billions of people who live and eat on this planet.

In fact, according to an article published in Nature International Weekly Journal of Science, the yields for organic production are an average of 25% lower than conventional, although the exact number varies depending on the type of produce. So while organic farming might be more environmentally friendly on a small scale, if used widely it could eat up more land and hurt biodiversity further as organic farmers try to produce enough for a population that is estimated to hit 9.3 billion by 2050.

But what if the choice didn’t have to be one versus the other? There are important aspects of both organic and conventional farming that can come together to create a versatile and comprehensive approach to food production.

There’s a strong ideological divide between conventional and organic farming, and we think now might be the time to wipe away that divide. In creating a multi-faceted approach using the strongest aspects of both, we could find ourselves with a hybrid system that works best for everyone.

As a leading agricultural loans lender, we at AgAmerica Lending care about the topics and issues relevant to farmers and growers. We cover agricultural loans all across the nation, and we help agribusinesses grow with our low interest rates, long amortizations, and outstanding 10-year Line of Credit.